B2 · Intermedio alto Capítulo 13

Más allá del 'will': Domina el futuro con precisión profesional

6 Reglas totales
58 ejemplos
7 min
Reglas en este capítulo Práctica rápida

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of temporal precision and talk about the future like a native speaker.

  • Describe actions in progress at specific future moments using the Future Continuous.
  • Express formal schedules and imminent events with professional accuracy.
  • Calculate long-term durations and revisit past intentions that never happened.
Don't just predict the future—describe it with vivid detail.

Lo que aprenderás

¿Listo para que tu inglés suene mucho más sofisticado? En este capítulo, vamos a ir más allá del típico 'will' para que logres una precisión increíble al hablar del futuro. Aprenderás a usar el Future Continuous para describir acciones que estarás realizando en un momento específico (como 'I’ll be flying over the Atlantic') y el Future Perfect Continuous para enfatizar la duración de tus metas y esfuerzos. Imagina que estás en una entrevista de trabajo o presentando un proyecto: dominar estructuras como 'be due to' o 'be set to' te hará sonar profesional y organizado al hablar de horarios oficiales. También descubriremos el 'Future in the Past', esa herramienta clave para contar anécdotas sobre lo que 'ibas a hacer' pero que al final cambió. Y, para que tu fluidez sea impecable, puliremos las Future Time Clauses: aprenderás por qué nunca debes usar 'will' después de conectores como 'when' o 'as soon as' y cómo el Present Perfect marca la diferencia en el orden de tus planes. Al final de estas lecciones, tendrás el control total sobre la línea del tiempo. Ya sea para describir algo que está a punto de pasar con 'be about to' o para explicar procesos complejos, hablarás con la confianza y el matiz de un hablante de nivel B2. ¡Empecemos!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to describe your ongoing activities at a specific time tomorrow using 'will be -ing'.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to distinguish between informal and formal future schedules using 'be due to' and 'be about to'.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to express the duration of an action leading up to a future point using the Future Perfect Continuous.
  4. 4
    By the end you will be able to explain past plans that changed using 'was going to' and 'was about to'.

Guía del capítulo

Overview

Mastering the nuances of future tense in English is a hallmark of truly advanced learners. If you're at the B2 level, you've likely moved past the basic will and going to, and you're ready to unlock a level of precision that will make your English sound incredibly natural and sophisticated. This chapter,
English looking ahead: advanced future forms,
is designed to equip you with the tools to express complex future ideas with confidence.
You'll discover how to paint vivid pictures of ongoing actions at a specific time in the future using the Future Continuous, making your descriptions much more dynamic. We'll also dive into ways to talk about imminent events, whether it's something casual that’s about to happen or a more dramatic, on-the-verge moment with be about to and be on the point of. For those scheduled events and professional contexts, be due to and be set to will add a layer of official precision to your speech.
And for the ultimate in future foresight, we'll explore the Future Perfect Continuous, a powerful tense that emphasizes duration leading up to a future milestone. By integrating these advanced future forms into your communication, you'll not only avoid sounding repetitive but also convey your thoughts with the clarity and naturalness of a native speaker. Get ready to elevate your B2 English grammar and truly sound amazing when discussing what's next!

How This Grammar Works

These advanced future forms allow you to convey detailed information about future events that simple will or going to cannot. They add layers of timing, expectation, and emphasis.
The Future Continuous (will be -ing) describes an action that will be in progress at a specific time in the future. Think of it like taking a snapshot of a future moment and seeing what's happening. For example:
This time next year, I will be living in London.
You're not just saying you'll live there; you're imagining yourself in the middle of the experience.
It's perfect for setting a scene.
For immediate futures, we have be about to and be on the point of. Be about to is informal and indicates something is happening very, very soon: "Hold on, I'm about to send that email.
Be on the point of is more formal and often used for more significant or dramatic imminent events, suggesting a critical juncture:
The negotiations were on the point of breaking down when a new proposal emerged." Both express urgency but with different shades of formality and impact.
When discussing scheduled or planned events, especially those that are official or arranged, be due to and be set to come into play. Be due to implies an official timetable or expectation:
The flight is due to depart at 3 PM.
Be set to suggests that something has been prepared or arranged to happen, often with a sense of inevitability or high probability:
The company is set to announce its new strategy next week.
These are vital for professional and formal communication.
Finally, the Future Perfect Continuous is our duration tense. It focuses on how long an action will *have been happening* up to a specific point in the future. It highlights the ongoing nature of an activity leading up to a future deadline or event. For instance:
By next May, I will have been studying English for five years.
This tells us not just that you'll still be studying, but the total accumulated time of study *up to that point*.
These forms allow for incredible precision, moving you far beyond basic future statements.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1Confusing Future Continuous with Simple Future for specific future actions.
✗ At 8 PM, I will eat dinner. (Implies starting dinner at 8 PM)
✓ At 8 PM, I will be eating dinner. (Implies being in the *middle* of eating dinner at 8 PM)
*Explanation:* The Future Continuous emphasizes the action's ongoing nature at a particular future moment.
  1. 1Using 'will' for officially scheduled events instead of more precise forms.
✗ The conference will begin at 9 AM tomorrow.
✓ The conference is due to begin at 9 AM tomorrow. / The conference is set to begin at 9 AM tomorrow.
*Explanation:* 'Be due to' and 'be set to' add a layer of official scheduling or pre-arrangement that 'will' often lacks, making your statement more precise and formal.
  1. 1Incorrectly forming or using the Future Perfect Continuous when duration is key.
✗ By the end of the month, I will have finished my project for three weeks.
✓ By the end of the month, I will have been working on this project for three weeks.
*Explanation:* The Future Perfect Continuous specifically highlights the *duration* of an ongoing action leading up to a future point, emphasizing how long something has already been happening.

Real Conversations

A

A

Hey, what are you doing next Saturday evening?
B

B

Oh, I can't meet up then. I'll be taking my final exam online. I'll probably be on the point of collapse from stress!
A

A

Oh no, good luck!
A

A

Did you hear about the new product launch?
B

B

Yes, I read about it. The company is set to unveil it at the tech fair, isn't it? It's due to happen on the 15th.
A

A

That's right! By then, they will have been developing it for almost two years.
A

A

Are you ready for your interview?
B

B

Almost! I'm just about to leave the house. I'm so nervous!
A

A

You'll do great!

Quick FAQ

Q

When should I use 'will be -ing' instead of a simple future with 'will' or 'going to'?

Use 'will be -ing' (Future Continuous) when you want to describe an action that will be *in progress* at a specific future time, or to talk about future arrangements as part of a general plan. It paints a picture of what's happening at that moment.

Q

What's the main difference between 'be about to' and 'be on the point of'?

'Be about to' is more common and informal, indicating immediate future action ("I'm about to call you"). 'Be on the point of' is more formal or dramatic, suggesting a critical moment or being right at the verge of a significant event (

The discovery was on the point of changing everything
).

Q

Can 'be set to' and 'be due to' be used interchangeably?

Often, but with a subtle difference. Both indicate scheduled events. 'Be due to' often implies an official or expected time based on a schedule (

The train is due to arrive
). 'Be set to' can imply a higher degree of certainty, preparation, or a predetermined plan, often with an emphasis on the outcome (
The team is set to win the championship
).

Q

Why is the Future Perfect Continuous considered an advanced tense?

It requires combining concepts of duration, completion, and future timing. It's advanced because it allows you to express how long an ongoing action *will have lasted* by a specific future point, showing not just an action, but its cumulative time up to that moment.

Cultural Context

Native English speakers use these advanced future forms constantly to add naturalness and precision to their speech. For instance, the Future Continuous is very common in everyday planning ("This evening, I'll be working late"). While 'be about to' is widely used informally for immediate actions, 'be on the point of' is less frequent in casual conversation and often appears in more formal or literary contexts to heighten drama.
Be due to and be set to are standard in news, business, and official announcements, making them essential for a professional tone. Mastering these allows B2 learners to sound much more integrated into diverse English-speaking environments.

Ejemplos clave (4)

1

I'm about to finish my coffee, then I'll be ready.

Estoy a punto de terminar mi café, luego estaré listo.

Futuro Inminente: Estar A Punto De & Estar Al Borde De
2

The train is about to depart, please stand clear of the doors.

El tren está a punto de salir, por favor, aléjense de las puertas.

Futuro Inminente: Estar A Punto De & Estar Al Borde De
3

The train `is due to depart` at 6:30 AM.

El tren tiene previsto salir a las 6:30 de la mañana.

Futuro Programado (estar previsto, estar programado para)
4

My project `is set to be finished` by Friday.

Mi proyecto debe estar terminado para el viernes.

Futuro Programado (estar previsto, estar programado para)

Consejos y trucos (4)

💡

Piensa en 'estar a medias'

Visualiza la acción como si fuera una foto de algo que ya está ocurriendo en ese momento futuro. Piénsalo como una captura de pantalla del mañana. "I'll be working at 10 AM."
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Futuro Continuo (will be -ing)
💡

¡Piensa en el 'Ya'!

Asocia siempre estas estructuras con eventos que están a solo unos instantes de ocurrir. Si no va a pasar en los próximos segundos, estas no son las frases adecuadas:
The train is about to leave.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Futuro Inminente: Estar A Punto De & Estar Al Borde De
💡

¡Revisa tu verbo 'be'!

Asegúrate siempre de que la forma de 'to be' (am, is, are) concuerde con el sujeto. Un error común es decir 'They is due to arrive' en lugar de:
They are due to arrive.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Futuro Programado (estar previsto, estar programado para)
💡

Busca marcadores de tiempo

Frases como by the time, for o since son pistas gigantes de que podrías necesitar este tiempo. Ayudan a fijar ese momento futuro desde el que estás mirando hacia atrás:
By the time you arrive, I will have been waiting for twenty minutes.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Futuro Perfecto Continuo: El Tiempo de Duración

Vocabulario clave (7)

commence to start (formal) imminent about to happen duration the length of time something lasts milestone a significant stage or event anticipate to expect or predict provisional temporary or subject to change schedule a plan for carrying out a process

Real-World Preview

rocket

The Big Product Launch

Review Summary

  • will + be + [verb]-ing
  • be + about to + [verb]
  • be + due to + [verb]
  • will + have + been + [verb]-ing
  • was/were + going to + [verb]
  • When/As soon as + Present Simple/Perfect

Errores comunes

In English, we never use 'will' in a time clause starting with when, as soon as, or until. Use the present simple instead.

Wrong: I will call you when I will arrive at the hotel.
Correcto: I will call you when I arrive at the hotel.

The Future Perfect Continuous requires the '-ing' form to show ongoing duration. 'Worked' is for the Future Perfect Simple.

Wrong: Next year, I will have been worked here for ten years.
Correcto: Next year, I will have been working here for ten years.

To talk about a specific past plan that changed, use 'was going to'. 'Would' is usually for hypothetical situations or past habits.

Wrong: I would go to the party, but I got sick.
Correcto: I was going to go to the party, but I got sick.

Reglas en este capítulo (6)

1

Futuro Continuo (will be -ing)

B2
Usa este tiempo para describir acciones que estarán en pleno proceso en el futuro. Te servirá para sonar más natural con ongoing actions, polite questions y future snapshots.
This time tomorrow, we will be flying over the Atl...
12 ejemplos
2

Futuro Inminente: Estar A Punto De & Estar Al Borde De

B2
Estas frases son tus herramientas secretas para hablar de lo que va a pasar ¡ya mismo!, usando etiquetas como right now o seconds away.
I'm about to finish my coffee, then I'll be ready.
12 ejemplos
3

Futuro Programado (estar previsto, estar programado para)

B2
Usa be due to o be set to para eventos programados u oficiales, ¡hará que tu inglés suene súper preciso! official, scheduled, planned.
The train `is due to depart` at 6:30 AM.
12 ejemplos
4

Futuro Perfecto Continuo: El Tiempo de Duración

B2
Resalta cuánto tiempo durará una acción hasta un momento específico del futuro usando duration, ongoing y future point.
By 6 PM, she `will have been waiting` for an hour.
12 ejemplos
5

Future in the Past: Was Going To, Would, Was About To

B2
Future in the past describes what was expected, planned, or predicted from a past point of view. Use was/were going to, would, was about to, and was due to.
5 ejemplos
6

Future Time Clauses: When I Do vs. When I Have Done

B2
After future time conjunctions (when, before, after, until, as soon as, once), use present simple or present perfect — never will. Use present perfect when one action must be completed before the next.
5 ejemplos

Next Steps

You've just unlocked some of the most sophisticated structures in the English language. Your ability to express time is now at a high-intermediate level. Keep practicing these in your daily conversations!

Write your 5-year career plan using at least 4 different future forms.

Listen to a news broadcast and identify instances of 'is due to' or 'is set to'.

Continue to: Wishes, Regrets, and Formal Demands

Práctica rápida (10)

Traduce al inglés: 'Para el lunes, habré estado leyendo este libro por una semana.'

Translate into English: 'Para el lunes, habré estado leyendo este libro por una semana.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: By Monday, I will have been reading this book for a week., By Monday, I'll have been reading this book for a week.
Esta frase describe una acción continua hasta un punto futuro, lo que encaja perfectamente con el Future Perfect Continuous.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Futuro Perfecto Continuo: El Tiempo de Duración

Find the mistake.

Find and fix the mistake:

After I will finish, I will go.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: will finish
Remove 'will' from the time clause.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Future Time Clauses: When I Do vs. When I Have Done

Select the best fit.

I knew the project ___ succeed.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: would
Prediction in the past.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Future in the Past: Was Going To, Would, Was About To

Encuentra y corrige el error en la oración.

Find and fix the mistake:

She is on the point to leave for her interview.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: She is on the point of leaving for her interview.
Con 'on the point of', siempre usamos la forma -ing del verbo (gerundio), no el infinitivo.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Futuro Inminente: Estar A Punto De & Estar Al Borde De

Encuentra y corrige el error en la oración.

By the time he retires, he will been teaching for thirty years.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: By the time he retires, he will have been teaching for thirty years.
Faltaba el 'have'. La estructura completa para este tiempo es 'will have been + Verb-ing'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Futuro Perfecto Continuo: El Tiempo de Duración

Fill in the blank.

We ___ (visit) London, but we went to Rome instead.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: were going to visit
Past intention that didn't happen.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Future in the Past: Was Going To, Would, Was About To

¿Qué oración usa correctamente el Future Perfect Continuous?

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: At 8 PM, we will have been watching the movie for an hour.
La forma correcta requiere 'will have been' seguido del verbo con terminación '-ing'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Futuro Perfecto Continuo: El Tiempo de Duración

Elige la forma correcta para completar la frase.

The meeting ___ to start in five minutes.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: is about
El sujeto 'meeting' es singular, por lo que usamos 'is'. La frase completa es 'is about to'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Futuro Inminente: Estar A Punto De & Estar Al Borde De

Fill in the blank with the correct form.

I ___ (go) to the party, but I got sick.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: was going to go
It was a past plan.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Future in the Past: Was Going To, Would, Was About To

Find the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

He said he will be here at 5.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He said he would be here at 5.
Reported speech requires backshifting.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Future in the Past: Was Going To, Would, Was About To

Score: /10

Preguntas frecuentes (6)

Se usa para hablar de una acción que estará en progreso en un momento específico del futuro. Piénsalo como una foto de una actividad, como: "At 8 PM, I'll be eating dinner."
La estructura es súper sencilla: Sujeto + will + be + verbo principal con -ing. Por ejemplo: "You'll be studying."
Indica una acción que ocurrirá en un futuro muy inmediato, normalmente en segundos o minutos. Piensa en ello como estar 'al borde de' algo, como: "I'm about to hit send on this email."
También significa futuro inmediato, pero con un tono más formal o dramático, implicando un momento crítico. Por ejemplo:
The company was on the point of closing down.
Se usan para hablar de eventos futuros que ya están planeados o programados. Dan una sensación de certeza, como en:
The concert is set to begin at 8 PM.
La estructura es: Sujeto + verbo 'be' (am, is, are) + due to / set to + verbo en forma base. Por ejemplo:
The report is due to be submitted.
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Telling Stories: Past Habits and Narrative Tenses
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Wishes, Regrets, and Formal Demands
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